Machine for forming and welding



L la. CAMPBELL MACHINE FOR FORMING AND WELDING CHAINS March 13, 1945.

B Sheets-Sheet 1 Eiled April 22, `1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 l. B. CAMPBELL MACHINE Fon FORMING AND WELDING CHAINS Filed April 22, 1942 March 13, 1945.

fi e@ ATTORNEY fr?" CAMPBELL MACHINE-*FOR FORMING AAND WELDING CHAINS Filed April 22, 1942 a sheets-sheet s l. B. `GAMPBELL. 2,371,280

MACHINE Fon FORMING AND WELDING CHAINS 4 Marh 13, 1945.

Filed April 22, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY L. B. CAMPBELL MACHINE FOR FORMING AND WELDING CHAINS March 13, 1945,.

Filed April 22, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Err CAMPBELL ATTORN March 13, 1945.

L. B. CAMPBELL MACHINE FOR FORMING AND WELDING CHAINS Filed April 22, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR ,L 9A/Marr CAMPBELL l M WM ATTORNEY March 13, 1945. L B, CAMPBELL MACHINE FOR- FORMING AND WELDING CHAINS 8 'Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April 22, 1942 m T N E V m Y L A/fr CAMPBELL Y MMR j MTTORNEY March 13, 1945. L B, CAMPBELL 2,371,280'

MACHINE FOR FORMING AND WELDING CHAINS Filed April 22, 1942 8 Sheets-sheet 8 ffgz? 0 20 40 6U B0 100 IZB |40 |60 l Zw 220 240 E60 2W 3W 320 340 350 Q WIRE Feen g,

Z4 UMD FEED LOCK L`ffII- e 4Z Y L )Cllr wmf cIIzcx \//1; cuT oFF a 3WD 1L I 1:1 BEND s g l b\1srrs Poo ron KING Pos1 55 2N BE un IM LC 0f i L05 NG CLEAR Loop glggpzos I KING osTsIIPPoM" I F R '7 1 HOOD le, HD I ooPcLosfo 4 2m: BEND @c 2ND B. L RE 5@ ,T I A )4x/4f a5 TQIM QQ 4,@

FINseRs meu nnss@ 777 LINI Reif/wry@ IIEcIPnac/ITIIIIG f I NE ILIN l IN F GERS FINGER 'rwlsrme I `FINGER N FINRT CHAIN rezo 785 y D? ENeAems A CHAIN FEED CHAN FEI`D ADVANCING l Y WELDING 7 Us 'l I 5", z :m aa Ios ELEcTnanzs 755 '1' I Op aa INvI-:NroR v nTIgg I zmfrr E /wfa swITcII4 765 WELD'NI? I o BY i `B 0 2U 49 60 69 l 0 I' 0 l 0 lo 0 ZJO m ATTORNEY Patented Mer. la, 1945 Lyman ,Barrett Campbell, Water-bury, Conn., as-

signor to American Chain & Cable Company, lynciridgeport, Conn., a corporation of New .Application April z2, 1942,' -seriel .Ne 440,081

solenne. (cl. 59-18) This invention relates to a machine for forming and welding chains.

Thebroad object of this invention is the provision of a machine for forming and connecting links in a chain and for welding the links of the chain in a continuous operation and at a high rate of speed.

Other objects of this invention consist in providing improved means for presenting the last formed link to receive a new link as it is being closed, and improved means for feeding and presenting the assembled links in succession to YWelding electrodes. g y

Other objects of this invention will appear from the following description taken inconnection with the drawings, in which- Fig, 1Y is a top plan view of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the machine on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the' line M of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is atop plan view of the wire feeding mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fis. 6 shows the left end of the machine in elevation; 4

Fig. '7 is a front end view ofthe link handling ng'ers and the means for rotating the last formed link into position to receive the link being formed;

movement of the parts into the positions shown in Fig. l0;

Fig. 17 shows the form of the link produced by movement of the parts into the position shown in Fig. l1;

Fig. 18 shows the link after the trimming operation has been performed by movement of the parts into the positions shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 19 shows a closed link which is closed as the parts are moved into the position shown in Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the link handling l fingers;

Fig. 9 is a. perspective view of the wire cutting, Y 11px forming, link .trlmnupaend link closing 35 mechanisms;

mechanism disclosed in Fig. 9`ln'the position they occupy after the wire cutting and the ilrstforming operation; y .Y Fig. 11V shows the position ofthe same parts after the second forming operation; Fig. 12 shows the 'position of the same parts alter the link trimming operation;

Fig, 13 shows the positional. the same .parts after the newly .formed link has been closedY and connectedto the last formed links Fig. 14 shows-the position of the 4sanne 'parts .ener the newly formed unir,v has been eenedby the .link handling lingers; Fig. -15 shows the king post or anv-ils lowered clear-,the newly formed link to permit it to be withdrawn from the link forming region; Y

Hg. 16 shows the form of the link produced by.

Fig. 13;

Fig. 20 is a longitudinal, diametral section through the link turning mechanism located adjacent to the welding region;

line 2l-2I of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a vertical transverse section on the line 22--22 of F18. 20;

i Fig. 23 is' a side view of the Wire checkoperating cam and lever;

Fig. 24 is a side view of the hood or second former operating cam and lever;

Fig. 25 is a side view of the king post or anvil operating cam and lever;

' Fig. 26 is a side view of the first former and cutof! operating cam and lever.; and Fig. 27 is a timing or cam groove diagram.

The machine disclosed comprises wire straight- -ening mechanism, wire feeding mechanism, wire check feed mechanism. link forming and link closing mechanisms, and link welding mechanism, all correlated lso as to `automatically produce a finished welded chain from wire stock. All of the parts of the machine are shown at substantially 30 i the cycle oi' operation inthe various figures except in Fig..9 where the? are shown 'at approximately 90 andin l0 to` '15 where they are shown in advancedfpos'itipns'in the cycle es will be later. A

4The chata mechanism' The :14eme A einem; meehme includes veflees `platforms and which the various es-elements f 'the machine areV suitably supported meloni-nales.- 'lne supply er wire le preferably cna reel not-disclosed whichmay be suitahlysupported onthe framezof 'thanmlclline.` AThis 'wire` `indicated-al: B. rig. 3, posses through any-well form or strelgntenlz meenennm c, mie

e meenemen armas, and 5,

' intese wire check reed mechanism anni.. a, :and .23. and inicia' link forming mechanism indicated generally at' 1", 'Figa 11, 2. and 3, details or es which meeuwen se les. a4 and 25ml mi:A

Fig. 2l is a vertical transverse section on the The welding mechanism The formed and connected but unwelded links in the chain G are drawn through the link turning mechanism H, Figs. 1, ,2, 20, 21 and 22 by feeding` mechanism I, Pigs. 1, 2 welding mechanism J.

The anfang shafts and 6, into they asumo Y t arm of a bell Il, the other arm'of various elements ofthe link and chain forming all three shafts and the elements of the welding mechanism are driven through cams mounted on the shaft P. f

" riminese-communaut Fig. 27 shows the cam grooves .of the various cams developed with respect to one cycle of ,oper-- ation of the machine starting from the beginning of the cycle, showing the entire lengths of'the cam surfaces of the camsmounted on the shafts KandNandone-halfofthelengthofthecam.

surfaces of the cams mounted on the shaft P.

' Thisngureshowsthetimingrelation ofthe val'- to asthe iouscamsuri'acesandwiilbereferred description continues.

Wire feeding mechants The wire feeding mechanism, generally indicated at D,1"lgs. 3, 4, and 5, includa a wire feeding carriages which has a dovetaii engagement withatracklmountedonaplatfonn'lcarried bytheframe of themachine. '.lhecarriageis moved back and forward once during each cycle of operation of the machine bymeans of abox cam I, Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6, provided with a groove l, see also llig.` 27, in which operates a roll on an arm I I suitably pivoted at its lower end on the frame of the machine. The upper-'end ofthe arm il is slotted as indicated at' il to slidably. receive ablock liconnectedbyalink lltothefeeding carriage'l. yThe position o! the block i2 in the slot Il may be adjusted by means the, length of stroke of the feeding carriage i is adjusted.

The feeding carriage .l is provided at its forward end, Figs. 4 and 5, with a lateral extensionl il which isgrooved as indicated at it.A Supoiarodil whichisthreaded-inthelzllockandvf'rhichisrowhich has its`-end"reduced in width to nt between ears on a slide 2l, Figs. 4 and 5, and which is transversely grooved to receive a pin 21 supported v in said ears. This slide 26 operates in a groove in a ,block 2l secured to the platform 1 and is yretained therein by a cover-'plate as indicated.

'Ihe'inner end ofthe slide Il is lprovided with a. yconnecting bar 2s extending in the direction of the movnen't of the carriages and upwardly into a groove of greater width than that of the bar and formed in a slide mounted in atransverse groove in the carriage I. 1 y

Interposed between one side of the bar 2l and onewaliofthe grooveins'lidelisuhlosk,si

spring pressed into functioning position by a spring Il' mounted in-anupwardly housing on the slide Il. Connected tothe vblock of a cross pin 34. The head 33 is provided aninterrupfedilangell receivingaphll the housing.` The block Il may and the'iiangelowarcd'ontopofthepin to hold the block in inoperative The slide Il issheid in the groove in the, carriage by the plate 2l before referred to.

- The slide 3l i8 provided with a groove 31 in which operates one end of a crank lever' ll pivoted on the carriage i. Qns

.wall of thegroove and said end ofthe bellcrank counterclockwise to actuate the wire'gripiing n lever are provided with cooperating cam surfaces 3l and 40 whereby the slide ll as it is moved to the left in Fig. 4 rocks the bell crank lever slide lltogripthewire. Threadedini'otheother end of the bell crank lever is an adjusting screw Il which bears against the outer end ofthe wire gripping slide I9. Movement is transmitted from the slide 2l to the slide 3l regardless oi' the position of the carriageitomovetheslide'lltogrlp' thewireandconnectittothecarriage. Asis apparent from Fig, 27 the wire is gripped when the machine is vat rest at the beginning of a cycle Wire checlc lMeehanixunrisprovidedtgripthewilreandto hold it in its forwardly fed position. Mounted on the platform'l, Figs. 1 and 3, is an upwardb projecting cylindrical member 42 provided with a transverse through hole in which are moimted ported'in the bottom ofthe groove are wire guid- Y ingposts i7 for guiding-the wire to be properly engagedA by the gripping mechanism which includes a nxed gripping element Il supported in the, outer wall of the groove It intermediate of said guiding posts- I1 and a .movable gripping wireguidiligilisel'iis.aridwiiihalinxiaiholev 'extending below said inserts and constitutingl a seatforawiregrippingin'sertltandaguide for a gripping plunger Il 'which is normallyheld inraisedpositionbyaspcing. Afterthewire` hasbeenredthephmgerisdepressed'bymeansof a face'cam 41, 'see also rigs. 1, 3 and 23, on the shatt-Kthe cam'iace or which cooperateswith arollonfacurvedleverllmoimtedbetweenhs .Il projecting from the platform The cam ilV (seealsol'fig.27) is'shapedsoa`stodepressthe '-phmger'afterthewirehasbeenfedforwardlyby thecarriage landbeforethewireisreleasedfrom asvmso Cutof and forming mechanism The length of wire fed forwardly during each ieeding operation is slightly greater than the length of wire in a completed link and as disclosed more particularly in Fig. 9 the forward end of the wire is .fed through a groove |a in the upper end of a king post which comprises a hardened block 5| adiustably mounted as indicated at 52 Figs. 2 and 3 on an operating slide 58 operated by 'a box cam 54 Fig. 25 mounted on the cam shaft K and provided with a groove 5 5 receiving a roll on one endof a bell crank construction 55 suitably pivoted on the frame of the machine. The cam groove is shaped, see also Fig. 27, so that it will raise the king post from a slightly raised position toJ its highest position at the beginning-oi the cycle of operation ofthe machine and then lower the king post step by step at spaced intervals for reasons that will appearlater in the description.

In Fig. 9 the king post is shown in its raised position at approximately 90 in the cycle of op eration. 'I'he groove 5|a divides the king post block 5| into front and rear sections, the rear section having a lower relatively wide portion 51 `and an upper narrow portion 58 the function of which will be referred to later, and the front section having a lower wide anvil 59 of a width e slightly less than twice the inside length of the link to be formed and an upper narrow anvil 80 which is of a' width vequal to the inside Width of the link to be formed. `The king post block 5| also supports spacedtrimming dies 6| later referred to, for trimming the ends of a link before it is closed. When the machine is at rest at the.

provided with a cam groove I8 in which operates a roll carried by one arm of a lever 80, the other arm ofwhich has a pivotal engagement with the slide. 'I'he cam groove is so shaped, see also Fig. 27, that the/hood willibe moved forwardly to perform a second link bending operation and -Ithen after thelink has been trimmed, moved forwardly to its most forward position to complete the link bending operation and to close the link, and then it will be partly withdrawn and finally lmoved back to its rearmost position which position it occupies when the machine is at rest.

Linlcw trimming mechanism to 15, is a punch 8| carried by a slide 82, see also f Figs. .1, 2, and 3, which is reciprocated by a lever 83 suitably pivoted on the franie of the machine tion of the machine. The cam is timed to operate o after the second forming operation, see Figs. 2'7

and 11 and 12.

King-post support The king post slide 53 is supported during the trimming operation by an arm 86, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, provided with a raised portion adapted to be moved under the king post slide 53. This arm is formed on the lower end of a hub 81 Fig. 3 suitably pivoted on the frame. The upper end of the hub is provided with an arm 88, see also Fig. 5, to

which is pivoted a slide 89 provided with a wide slot 90 to receive the'shaft K.' The side walls of the slot may slid'e in a groove 9| on the hub of f the face cam 92 which is provided with a cam platform l by overhanging guides SBandSl. The

slide 85 is operated by means of a box cam 88, Fig. 26, mounted on the shaft K and provided with a cam groove 59, which cooperates with a roll on the lower arm of a bell crank 89 which has its upper arm pivotally engaging the slide.

cam groove, see also Fig. 27, is shaped so as to move the formingdies 8 2 and 83 forwardly to their extreme forward position and then to slightly move them rearwardly and later in the operation after the link hasl been engaged by a second forming die, to move them to their extreme rear position. 'I'he forward ends and inner sides of the dies 82 and 63 are provided with wire receiving grooves 10 and 1|. The outer corner of the die 82 cooperates with the cutoff bushing 50 to cut on the wire.

Mounted for cooperation with the upper narrow anvil 80 is a hood or forming die 12 Figs. 1

face 93 engaged by a roll 94 on the slide 89, the roll being held in contact with the face of the cam by a spring 95. The mechanism so far described will form and close links and provision is made so that the newly formed link as it is beving closedv is connected to the last formed link.

'I'his mechanism comprises link handling mechanism.

Link handling mechanism For the purpose of holding the last formed link and for presenting it to the link forming mechanism atthe time the newly formed link is closed, I provide an improved link handling mechanism Q Figs. l, 2, 7, 8, and 10 to l5 which is mounted for reciprocation toward and away from the link forming region and also for rotation for the purpose of turning the last formed link angularly into position so it may be engaged by the newly formed link as it is being closed. Supported in spaced uprights 98'and 99 Figs. 1 and 2 for rotation and axial movement is a shaft |00 which is provided at its ends which is adjacent to the link forming mechanism with pairs of opposed spring fingers |0|, |02 and |03, |04, see also Figs. 7 and 8. The fingers |02 and |04 are offset as 'disclosed in Fig. 8 to provide` an opening through which the formed chain may leave the link handling fingers.

Mounted on the shaft |00 between theuprights 98 and 99 for rotation with the shaft' and permit- 'ting relative axial movement of the shaft with provided with a roll engaging a groove |08 in a box cam |09, see also Fig. 6, mounted on the shaft Cooperating with the trimming dies 6|, Figs. 9

P. The cam groove, see also Fig. 27, is. shaped to rock the shaft through an angle of 95.3 baci. and forth once during each rotation of the shaft P. that is, to roel; 90 in one direction during one cycle of operation of the machine and 90 in the opposite direction during the next cycle. This is for the purpose oi rocking the last formed link through an angle of 90 to present it to receive the link being formed. Fig. 27 shows the complemental halves ci the cam groove it lsuperimposed. A

For vthe purpose of moving the shaft lil@ axially so as to present the last formed link to the linis forming mechanism and to seize the newly :formed link and to withdraw it 'from the linlz forming region, there is provided a iace cam l Il l Fig. 2 which is mounted on the shaft P. The face of the cam is shaped, see also Fig. 27, to cause the shaft and link handling fingers to loe moved to the right to present the last formed linlr. in position to receive the link being formed and then to move the fingers further to the right to seize the newly `formed link and then to move the iingers to the left to withdraw the newly formed link from the link :Eorming region. Cooperating with the cam tace of this cam is a roll on an arm il@ which is connected to a shaft i l@ iournaled in the frame of the machine. The roll is pressed against the face of the cam by means oi a spring M5. Secured on the other end of the shaft i ifi is a biiurcated arm I l 5 which is provided with pins which extend into a groove lll in a sleeve il slidalole and rotatable on the shaft l Motion is communicated from the sleeve il it to the shaft ld@ by means of a spring Mil, interposed between and connected to the sleeve and a collar i 2@ pinned. to the shaft. The left hand end of the sleeve is provided with an arm 92 in which is mounted a rod 622 which slidaoly engages an arm i' on the linl; turning mechanism H which will he described later.

Operario/n, of the Zink foi-ming mechanism their rearmost position, the hing post is in its lowermost position, the hing post support is out of supporting position, the hood or die that performs the second and third bending operations is in. its rearmost position, the trimming die is in its lowermost position, the linl; handling finger mechanism is in intermediate positions as to both reciprocating and turning movements.

As the machine is set in operation the reciprocating and turning movements of the limi; handllng iingers are `cciiripleted and then the wire is fed forward and the king post and block iii are raised. This is the' position of the parts shown in Fig. 9. The cutoii:` and forming dies t2 and o3 are then moved forward into the position shown in Fig. producing the low wide iJ link form shown in Fig. 16. At this time the hing post support is rocked into supporting position. The dies S2 and 63 are then moved slightly toward the rear just far enough to permit movement of the king post but still in position to support the partially formed link after which the king post is lowered to present the upper anvil t0 opposite the partially formed link. The wire check is applied and the feed lock is released and the feed carriage is moved into its rearmost position.

. asrnaeo After the king post has been lowered as described. the hood 12 is moved forward into the position shown in Fig. 11 producing the partially formed link disclosed in Fig. i7. 'lihe trimming punch tl is then lowered into the position shown in Fig. l2 to cut oi the ends of the link as shown in Fig. 18 and then the king post support is withdrawn, after which the linl: handling ingers are moved forward into the position shown in Fig. 13. The hood 'l2 is moved forward to the extreme forward position disclosed in Fig. i3 during which movement it closes the lint; as shown in Fig. i9 connecting the newly formed link with the link formed during the preceding cycle of operation. The link handling ngers are then moved 'orwardly to seize the newly formed lint: which is held stationary by the narrow projecting portion 58 on the king post block tt. During this movement the previously formed linie will be'engaged by the upper narrow anvil t@ and will be pushed hack through the nngersof the link handling mechanism as disclosed in Fig. lfl. Following this operation the king post will he lowered and withdrawn from the newly formed link to permit the finger handling mechanism to withdraw the newly formed link from the lint: forming region as disclosed in Fig. l5.

Welding mechanism By means of the mechanism described links are iormed and connected into a chain G until a sufcient length or chain has heen formed to reach to the welding mechanism J, Figs. i, 2 and 3. This length of chain may drop down under the shaft P and then pass through a curved tubular guide l 2t Fig. 2 and into the linl-i turning mecha-s nism H adjacent to the welding region. This mechanism H, see also Figs. 20, 2l. and 22, comprises a composite cylinder consisting of an inner cylindrical member it?? on which the arm its heiore described is formed and this inner member has a reduced cylindrical portion itt removably held byA a set screw i129 in a cylindrical opening in a second cylindrical member i3@ of the cylinder. Pivoted in the iirst member .l of the cylinder are two pairs or link holding and link guiding members 32, 33, and llll,

The link holding and link guiding members areV provided with opposed grooves as disclosed through which the links are moved by a chain feeding mechanism later to be described. These grooves, see grooves i3? and i3d of the members and are interrupted at their ends adjacent to the welding mechanism J as indicated at it@ and lf3@ forining projections which engage 'between alternate links of the chain and hold the linl; itl about to emerge from the linl; turning mechanism in position to be engagedby the welding electrodes M6 and i155. Springs lil@ are provided to press the grooved ends of the pivoted members into frictional engagement with the links and these springs may be adjusted hy screw threaded members' HiT-as is apparent from Figs. 20 and 22. By means of the mechanism described the linl: turning mechanism H at the welding region is turned with the link handling nger mechanism Q adjacent to the link forming region of the machine so that both ends of the chain G are turned at the same time and to the same amounts and in the same direction, and successive links fed through the link turning mechanism H are presented in a vertical plane to the welding electrodes l and M5. This ls done at the beginning of a cycle of an operation.

asvnaso welding electrode:

and lil to the head of a link IBI-pivoted to one The rear or operatingl ends of these levers are connected by links I arm lil of a bell crank pivoted on the frame of the machine, the other arm Ill of which is provided with an aperture through which passes a rod IIB on which is mounted a spring ill located between said arm I M and nuts i" threaded on the lower end of the rod III. The upper end of the rod passes through and its head bears on an arm l of a second bell crank construction which includes an arm Ill provided with a roll which operates in a cam groove Ill in a drumcam I on the shaft P. 'I'his drum cam groove is shaped to reciprocate the electrodes back and forth twice during each rotation of the shaft P, that is, once during each cycle of operation of the machine-and to bring the electrodes together as indicated in Fig. 27 shortly after the link has been turned by the turning mechanism H to bring the link into the plane of the electrodes. These electrodes are kept in this position until after the welding operation has been performed, ythe welding current through the electrodes being controlled by a welding master switch, not disclosed,

closed in Fig. 27.

Welding current control shaft P. As disclosed in Fig. 2'! after the welding electrodes have been withdrawn from welding en- Basement with a link, the feeding nger lll is moved intoengagement with the welded link by the solenoid |13 under control of the cam |83 and thereafter the feeding finger is moved horizontally toward the left, Figs. 1, 2 and 6, to feed the chain a distance equal to the length of one linkv and thereafter the finger is disengaged from the link and at the end of a cyclev of operation of the machine the finger is moved toward the right into its home position which movement is com pleted at the beginning of the next cycle of operation. The machine described forms links 'and connects' them in a chain and welds the links at much greater speed than heretofore possible. 'By providing two pairs of link seizing and handling 'fingers at thelink forming end of the machine, I

This welding master switch is a well known device that may be bought on the market and it functions to control the length of time during which the welding current is applied. This welding master switch may be under control of a face cam lll, Figs. 1 and 6, mounted on the 'shaftP and which is of such shape so as to throw the master switch into operation at the proper time and to permit it to be released under its own controlling mechanism at the proper time twice during each rotation of the shaft P and once during each cycle of operation of the machine.

Chain feeding mechanism Means is provided to feed the chain through the link turning mechanism H'into the space between the electrodes. This comprises a feeding finger Ill, Figs. 1 and 6. 'I'his finger is adjustably clamped to a rod Ill which slides in an elongated bearing |12 on the upper end of the lever |13, see also Fig. 2, connectedto a rod Ill suitably journaled in the frame of the machine. The lower end of the lever carries a supporting plate |11 for 'a solenoid Ill, the core of which is connected by a link Ill to one arm of a bell crank III .pivoted on the lever lll and which has its other arm III in driving engagement' with the sliding rod I'II. This solenoid lll may be energized under the control of a cam I on the shaft P shaped as shown in Fig. 27 to engage the finger IIl with the welded link of the chain before the feeding operation and to disengage it from the link of the chain after the feeding operation.

The nnger Ill is movedhorizontally to feed the chain by movement of the lever I'Il which as stated before is connected to the rod ill. For this purpose the other end of the rod |14 is provided with an operating arm Ill, Pigs. l, 2 and 6, which carries a roll Fig. 2 which operates in a cam groove Ill ina box cam ill mounted on the am enabled to seize and turn the last formed link to receive the link being formed by rocking the fingers but once during each cycle of operation of the machine, thereby reducing the total time consumed in forming and assembling the'links. In my machine the welding mechanism is far rev moved from the link formingmechanism so that the flash from the weld does not get into the slides of the link forming mechanism as would'be the case if the links were welded in the link forming rSesion. 1 4 E While I have shown and described for purpose of disclosure, one embodiment of my invention,

l it is to be understood that I reserve the right to l. In a chain forming mechanism, the combina- I tion of link forming means, of link seizing and link turning mechanism comprising two pairs of opposed spring fingers, a.k rockable and slidable shaft 'supporting said spring fingers radially` spaced'from the axis of said shaft, means for slidingsaid shaft to present a formed link to receive a link as it is being formed, to seize the latter link after it has been formed, and to withdraw the newly formed link from the link forming region, and means for rocking said shaft once for each cycle of operation of the machine to turn the last formed link into position to receive a link as it is being formed. i

2. In a chain forming mechanism, the combination of link forming means, of linkl'seizing and link turning mechanism comprising two pairs of opposed spring ngers, a rockable and slidable shaft supporting said spring fingers radially spaced from the axis of said shaft, means for sliding said shaft to present a formed link t`o receive a link as it is being formed, to seize the latter linksafter it has been formed, and to withdraw the newly formed link from the link forming region, and means for rocking said shaft once during each cycle of operation of the machine to turn the last formed link into position to receive a link as it is being formed, said spring fingers comprising gfrooved linkf-seizing free end portions, the intermediate portions of two of the adjacent spring fingers lying in planes through the axis of the shaft and through the grooves in said fingers and the intermediate portions of the other of said fingers lying' outside of planes through the axis of the shaft and the grooves in the fingers and lying adjacent -to the spring portions of the -rst mentioned fingers ,to provide an opening for the passage of the chainas the link disen'sages said seizing portions oi' said spring fingers. I

3. In a machine forforming links and assembling the links in a chain, a link seizing and link handling mechanism comprising a shaft, two pairs :of opposed link seizing fingers supported in an-g gularly spaced relation about the end of said shaft and extending in a direction generally parallel with the axis of said shaft, the intermediate portions of two of the adjacent fingers of the respective pairs of fingers being curved'away from feach other to provide an opening for the passage of the formed chain.

4. The combination in a machine of the char# acter described of mechanism for forming links and assembling them successively in a chain, said mechanism including link seizing and turning means, mechanism for successivelyA welding the links of the chain so formed comprising a pair of electrodes and link guiding and turning means for presenting successive linksto said electrodes, and means for rocking -said link seizing and turning means and said link guiding and turning means in the same directions and the saine amounts during each cycle of operation vof the machine. 5. The combination in a machine of the charactervdescribed 'of mechanism for forming links and assembling them successively in a chain, said vmechanism including link seizing and turning means, mechanism for successively welding the ,said means comprising fa shaft o'n which-said link'seizin'g and turning means" is mounted, means for movingsaii'lv shaft axially toward and away from the link forming region, and means providing a sliding non-rotatable connection between said shaft and said link-guiding and turning means. f

6. In a welding mechanisml comprising a of welding electrodes, means for guiding and feeding. and presenting successive'linksof a chain to said electrodes comprising. .a chain guide provided with pairs o! guiding elements arranged' about an' axis, said elements being in the' form of pivoted levers provided on' their inner sidesl rocking said guiding means to present successive links 'in the plane of said electrodes and means for feeding said-links successively into welding position between said electrodes.

7. In a welding mechanism comprising a pair of` welding electrodes, means for guiding and feeding and presenting successive links of a chain to said electrodes comprising a chain guide provided with pairs of guiding elements arranged about an axis, said elements being in the form of pivoted levers provided on their inner sides withgrooves interrupted near their ends and adjacent to said welding electrodes for holding a I link between -said electrodes, spring means for pressing said ends toward each other, means for rocking said guiding means to present successive links in the plane of said electrodes, means for vfeeding said links successively into welding position between said electrodes, said last mentioned with grooves interrupted near their ends and adjacent to said welding electrodes for holding Y a'link between said electrodes, springfmeans for pressing said ends toward each other, means for means comprising a finger adapted to engage the link last welded and to move the next link w be welded into welding position, meansl for moving said finger into and'out of said link and means for moving said finger toward and away from said link guiding means.

8. In a chain forming machine, the combination of link forming means, of link seizing and link seizing and link turning means about itsVA axis once only for each cycle of operation ci the link forming means to turn the last formed link into position to receive a link as it is being formed.

9. 'I'he combination in a machineof the vcharacter described of mechanism for forming links and assembling them successively ina chain, saidl mechanism including link seizing and turningmeans, mechanism i'or successively vwelding ,v the links of the chain so formed comprising welding guiding and turning means about their axe. in one and the same direction, once only for each cycle oi' operation o! the machine and in opp'osite directions during successive cycles loi! operation of the machine.

. L, BARRETT CAMPBELL. 

